The Retreaters (Part 4)
June 12th, 2020
Starring: Nell, Marcel
A couple weeks since Part 3. The vacation home, kitchen. Nell is in cooking mode. Marcel comes downstairs, meandering, holding his laptop.
MARCEL
Where’s Dad?
NELL
He’s on a call.
MARCEL
A work call?
NELL
I don’t know. It sounded like someone he went to college with.
MARCEL
I didn’t know he had any college friends.
NELL
Yeah, well...let’s see how many you have in 35 years.
…
MARCEL
The wifi’s bad.
NELL
The service is spotty here.
MARCEL
Yeah, but it’s like, worse than normal.
NELL
So reset it.
MARCEL
I forgot how to. I don’t want to mess it up.
NELL
Do you have class?
MARCEL
It’s Saturday night, why would I have class?
NELL
I don’t know your schedule...
If it’s not urgent and you can either try resetting it now or wait for Dad to get done.
MARCEL
Well how long is Dad gonna be?
NELL
I have no clue.
MARCEL
Can you do it?
NELL
Hon, I’m kind of in the middle of something.
Plus I don’t know how to do it either.
…
If you don’t need it right this minute, maybe put the machines down for a little. Take a nap.
MARCEL
You’re on your phone more than me.
NELL
I’m just saying like, figure something out. I don’t know what else I can do.
Marcel stares at her, then starts to head back upstairs.
MARCEL
When is dinner gonna be ready?
NELL
If you’re hungry, grab a snack.
MARCEL
But can I get like an ETA?
NELL
Ok you need to stop bombarding me. Ok?
You’re not three, be resourceful.
MARCEL
Jeez, I was just asking...
I mean sorry I wasn’t trying to—
But there’s no need to take out your stress on me.
I don’t really deserve that either.
Marcel stares at her, but Nell keeps cooking. He heads upstairs.